DEVELOPMENT COMMUNICATIONS
Communication is a deciding factor in motivating customers to give to Savannah State University. Customers may not be aware of the needs of the institution, or they may not be motivated to voluntarily give to support the needs. Accordingly, the office of development and communications is responsible for all facets of the production of divisional publications and documents which will affect the customers awareness and ultimately, motivate him/her to give. The objective is to provide a stimulant which motivates the extended SSU family to give to their fullest potential.
In the broadest sense, the purposes of the office of development communications are: (1) to create an awareness within the private sector of the financial needs of Savannah State University that are not met by state or federal support, and (2) to implement a plan which informs and/or solicits support for these needs. The target group for this undertaking consists of: alumni, individuals, corporations, foundations, and organizations. The manager of development communications works as a team member with the manager of the annual fund, director of alumni affairs, and the vice president for institutional advancement to determine target audiences, themes, messages, etc. which will be conveyed to the customers.
Annual Giving/membership/unrestricted Giving
Planning Unit: Office of Institutional Advancement
Responsible Person: Barbara Stuart, Manager of Development and Communications
Planning Objective: To provide a stimulant which activates alumni and the extended SSU family to give to their fullest potential .The primary target group to be approached for this campaign will include, but is not limited to the extended SSU Family - specifically alumni. The manager of development communications will work directly with the manager of annual fund to develop materials which will be mailed to members of this group for major campaigns. The proposed outcome of this campaign is to increase giving among the extended SSU Family - specifically alumni; and provide financial assistance for SSU students.
Action Plans
FY 1998:
· Mass Mailings: Prepare letters, brochures, packages, etc. to promote the University and solicit support for alumni giving. These materials will appeal to this target groups unique concern for the SSU and their bond to it. A specific appeal will be made to support the financial assistance program for students.
· Nationwide in scope and will be instituted 3-4 times per year.
· Membership/Unrestricted Giving Campaigns: Asssist in the preparation and design of materials, i.e., reply cards, business rely envelops, brochures, letters, etc, to promote these campaigns; tailor the materials to address the needs of the University.
Capital/restricted Giving
Planning Unit: Office of Institutional Advancement
Responsible Person: Barbara Stuart, Manager of Development and Communications
Planning Objective: Develop proposals for specific funding sources to match their specific funding priorities, i.e. scholarships, fellowships, building campaigns, etc. Develop a general framework for proposals which measures performance, sets expectations, asserts fiscal responsibility, shows refined leadership capacity, and communicates organizational integrity.
Goals:
· To develop partnerships for private and public funding,
· To encourage major gift support,
· To expand corporation and foundation support,
· To increase public awareness, and
· To build a sense of participation within the community.
Action Plans
FY 1998:
· Event Planning
· The manager of development communications will assist in the development of proposals, letters, brochures, invitations, programs, etc. to promote capital/restricted giving through the following projects:
· Faculty/staff payroll deduction
· Church/civic organizations direct mail appeal
Corporate campaign for local businesses/organization, and
· Other events as planned
Alumni Relations/member Relations
Planning Unit: Office of Institutional Advancement
Responsible Person: Barbara Stuart, Manager of Development and Communications
Planning Objective: To provide information to alumni, faculty/staff and the business community to increase their awareness of campus activities and improve their participation. The manager of development communications will participate in the planning and production of printed materials/publications to inform alumni and other constituents of university-related functions and activities on or off-campus. The functions include Homecoming, Founders Day, Convocation, and other special events. Publications include alumni newsletter, The Seafarer, and other publications as developed.
Action Plans
FY 1998:
· Printed Materials
· Edit Alumni Newsletter to ensure high standards and quality;
· Serve on committees to gain accurate information about specific events;
· Review similar materials/publications from other institutions/ organizations to obtain the latest, and most sophisticated techniques; and,
· Specifically design printed materials to carry a theme or message which appeals to the groups unique concern.
Communications
Planning Unit: Office of Institutional Advancement
Responsible Person: Barbara Stuart, Manager of Development and Communications
Planning Objective: To provide a wide array of divisional publications and documents addressing
various audiences and/or various needs. The manager of development communications is responsible for all facets of divisional publication production, including writing, design and layout; oversee the technical production of publications from the writing through pre-press production; work as team member to determine themes and graphic concepts for publications.
Action Plans
FY 1998:
· Corporations/Foundations Prospects: Assist in the development of an overall comprehensive fund-raising plan which includes a priority listing for financial support, whereby proposals may target specific funding priorities of a corporation/foundation.
· Donors: Assist in the development of an annual report or summary which lists all gifts for a specified period; assist in the development of acknowledgment letters.
· Institutional Development: Assist in the development of information and/or documentation which alerts SSU faculty/staff of procedures to submit proposals or funding requests to corporations, foundations, government or individual sources.
· Capital Improvements: Assist in the research and development of documentation which outlines capital expenditure needs.
· Student, Faculty and Staff Development: Assist in the development of brochures, etc., which outlines investment opportunities for student programs and activities, faculty, staff and institutional development.
EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES
To the extent which this plan has been developed to outline goals and action plans for specific programs, further planning needs to be implemented to determine time lines. At this point, the time allotted to conducting the above activities has not yet been determined, neither has there been a determination regarding coordination of deadlines for special events, newsletters, campaigns, reports, etc.
The manager of development communications proposes the development of a monthly institutional advancement calendar which highlights activities, deadlines and responsibilities of the institutional advancement staff.
OTHER...MIS, MS AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Planning Objective: The production of newsletters, publications and reports which are specifically designed using the most advanced technological processes.
Resource Needs
To identify and acquire the most recent industry-standard desktop publishing hardware and software which will create publications on cutting edge of production.
To oversee technical production of publications from writing to post production.